Eagler's Nest

Engines => 2 Cylinder => 1/2 vw => Topic started by: grdev on April 12, 2015, 04:50:07 PM

Title: Thrust
Post by: grdev on April 12, 2015, 04:50:07 PM
How much thrust does the 1/2 VW produce? Im told  my 1/3 Corvair with redrive will produce 250
 pounds. How will that work on my XL, any thoughts? Engine is running, should have Vids next week to show.
Title: Re: Thrust
Post by: Tom H on April 13, 2015, 06:16:35 AM
Gil, I don't know what a 1/3 Corvair will produce in thrust.

We made static thrust measurements for our LEU with a couple different props.  This was a 1/2 VW producing 29 hp (as measured by the wood bar dyno method);
unknown 54x20, 3120 rpm, 101 lbs
Hegy 54x22, 3090 rpm, 93 lbs.  Note, we never flew the 54x20 because it was too sluggish on take-off roll.  We found the 54x22 to be much more peppy on ground roll.  (was it due to pitch difference, or different mfg, or both?)

I was taking notes as others reported their prop info.  Here is what the notes say:
45 hp Casler, Tenn 58x24, 2800 rpm, 170 lbs (unloads during climb, rpm goes to 2950)
45 hp Casler, unknown 58x22, 3050 rpm, 180 lbs
78x92 stroke/bore, Tenn 54x24, 3400 rpm, 195 lbs
78x92, unknown 54x24, 3000 rpm, ? lbs
86x94 Casler, Tenn 58x24, ? rpm, ? lbs (great climb reported)

Keep in mind that static thrust is not a full indicator of performance in flight.  A prop could be partially stalled during full throttle static test, producing a lower lbs pull, but as soon as the airplane gets forward speed, it will unstall and start working hard.  A prop that is working its hardest at no forward speed may give out as it gets airspeed.  I think these airplanes need a prop to be working the best at climb speeds.

Your 1/3 Corvair will have some stroke/bore, maybe close to some of the above, theoretically similar power with similar prop  performance.

I know this does not answer your question, but hopefully some help.
Title: Re: Thrust
Post by: Sam Buchanan on April 13, 2015, 09:41:57 AM
Gil, if your engine is producing similar power as the larger 1/2 VWs, your redrive version will fly an XL very nicely. The redrive allows a larger diameter prop and I suspect 250 lbs is a possibility.

The direct drive is what limits our VWs to less thrust than a geared engine.
Title: Re: Thrust
Post by: Tom H on April 14, 2015, 05:55:51 AM
Gil, totally missed the word "redrive"!  I believe Sam is right.  Be sure to do all the testing and let us know.
Title: Re: Thrust
Post by: Sam Buchanan on April 14, 2015, 09:25:26 AM
Gil, if your engine is producing similar power as the larger 1/2 VWs, your redrive version will fly an XL very nicely. The redrive allows a larger diameter prop and I suspect 250 lbs is a possibility.

The direct drive is what limits our VWs to less thrust than a geared engine.
The trade-off I forgot to mention is the large diameter prop, while yielding great climb performance, may limit top speed. It will be a matter of finding the best compromise between the two.
Title: Re: Thrust
Post by: grdev on April 14, 2015, 02:34:46 PM
Thanks for replies. I would much rather have the short field advantages rather than  speed. I'm looking forward to the Low & Slow aspect. Ultra Vair has build a 58 x 26 prop for the engine and claims it will produce 250 pounds thrust. I plugged those numbers in a thrust calculator and that would require around 45 HP. Hope my XL isn't going to be a fat XL, guess I will find out soon. I'll post more when I have the engine running and on the airframe.
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